“The cheques in question are 92, with some of them containing N10m and above.

“Most of the fake cheques were written in the names of people who are not pensioners or who do not exist, while some were written in the names of existing pensioners, who have three cheques or more.

“Only one have the actual amount the pensioner ought to have as his pension. The fake cheques have amounts from N10m and above.”

The governor’s spokesperson said the government had on Monday began to pay the pensioners 100 per cent of their outstanding pension arrears, with pensioners from eight local government areas, including Nkwerre, Ideato South, Njaba, Nwangele, Isu, Obowo, Onuimo and Orsu, being paid.